The Hog is meant to be flown as much “Head Up” as possible.
Looking outside at prominent terrain features, towns, rivers, roads, bridges, smoke from wrecks, etc. is the best way to build a mental picture of where you are.
Key Mark Points on the TAD are good for quick reference (and kicking your TAD to EXP Mode so it stays North Up is also handy. Easy to get a helmet fire if your AO continuously spins in a circle.)
Remember that IRL, the A-10 really never works alone. Aside from the (rare) pre-planned strike, you should be working with additional air assets and/or eyes on the ground to help ID targets and set up attack patterns.
Areas of heavy SAM activity are not the best for good Hog Ops (and neither is anything short of Air Superiority.)